Surprisingly, up to 75% of all electricity used by consumer electronics is while they are in standby mode. Most people assume when they turn off their equipment it is completely off. Actually, it is in the standby mode – the mode necessary for the use of remote controls, clocks, channel memory and other features.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has estimated that home electronics in standby mode account for 5 to 10% of total residential electricity use.

Everyday Tips

• Turn off entertainment systems and computer equipment when not in use. Minimize energy use when electronic devices are in standby mode by enabling power save settings.
• To eliminate energy use when devices are in standby mode, plug them into a smart strip or power strip with on/off capabilities
• Look for the ENERGY STAR® label when selecting home electronics. ENERGY STAR-certified products use up to 50% less energy than conventional models while still providing the features consumers want.